The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-06-01

Inc answer 10 JnlS patnetlC appeal
was burst of laughter. How could
they help it? Certainly, anything more
laughter-provoking than this tow
headed, freckle-faced little object, with
its tear-stained cheeks and tattered
clothes, was rarely seen.
A party of blue-coated men, some of
them quite dazzling with gold-lace
and glittering shoulder-straps, were
gathered under the hospitable canvas
of Captain Dudley. The conversation
over the prospects of a battle had Ian
guished, and several of the party were
yawning amid the silence, when one of
them called out, " What's that?"
AT first it looked like mass of tow
thrust in by some one through an open
ing in the tent 1t proved, however, to
be the head of small boy.
When the owner was inquired of as
to the object of his visit he answered
with the sad appeal just quoted.
"No; go away" was the answer
from one of the blue-coats.
"No room for such rubbish" came
from another.
This provoked second burst of
laughter, which had scarcely died away
when the sound of prolonged sob
was heard.
"There! you've set the youngster
bawling." This came from Captain
Dudley himself; and, as he said it, he
rose and walked to the door of the tent.
Come back, you, and show Yourself"
The boy was only too glad to respond
to the appeal. With his head hanging
down on his breast and slouching
gait, he entered the tent.
All hands began at once to tease him.
' Who's your tailor, young man?"
Il" And your barber?'
Stop crying, and sing us song.
You ought to know Way down South
in Dixie pretty well. That's your ma
tive country, isn't it?"
:" Let him alone, boys" interrupted
Captain Dudley. " The poor little
wretch is in trouble Come here, young
man."
Dick Wattles rushed to his protectors
side and looked at him with wonder
ing air.
A few minutes suf1iced to draw the
boys story from him. He had run
away from his miserable home deter
mined to get with the army. He had
seen regiment pass his door once.
The thrilling sound of martial music,
the tramp of the horses, the glittering
uniforms of the men, had excited his
imagination. Where these people were
heaven must be. From that time he
had but one object in life, and that was
to find the camp and remain in it.
But what miserable little specimen
he was! What could be done with him?
Nothing, apparently. AT least, no one
tried to do anything. And so Dcky
hung round the camp. How he lived
no one knew. Sometimes bits of food
were flung to him; and these he eagerly
devoured. His clothes grew older and
more tattered; but the weather was
warm and this did not disturb him.
But miserable as his life seemed,
Dicky had an object in it. That was to
keep as close as possible to Captain
Dudley. 1t was Dudley that had be-
friended him from the first instance;
and, while he took no special trouble in
regard to the boy, he now and then did
him kindness. On one occasion a
generous slice of pudding from the
captains table found its way to Dicky's
grimy paws; and, in one supreme
moment, Dudley actually patted him on
the head and thanked him for some
trifling service.
Usually Dick was promptly ordered
out OF the way by the captains body
servant, but occasionally rare bits of
happiness came to him. Once he found
a pocket-book that the captain had lost,
and received warm praises for his
honesty. Once he was sent on quite
an important errand, and after no little
fatigue and danger delivered the ar
ticles safely into the captains hands.
The day finally came when the army
was no longer quiet. There was
great hustle of preparations going for
ward. A forced march had been or
dered, and the brigade was to move
on to point some twenty miles away,
where battle was expected. Dicky
was overwhelmed with what he saw 90
ing on about him. The experiences
were all new. Now there was work
even for him. He ran here and there,
sent on errands by everybody: and
once he was even spoken to by Captain
Dudley himself.
When the regiment began to move
Dicky followed close behind. He ran
and walked, until his little legs ached
under him and he grew faint with the
heat.
But he saw it all. He saw the troops
move into position and form square :;
he heard the booming of distant ar
tillery; he saw the foe approach and
heard the first shots fired into their
ranks. Presently man fell near him.
With shrek he watched the blood
flow. This was terrible. He had had no
idea of such scenes as this. Was this
what all those bright uniforms and
glittering weapons meant? Did these
men dress and live in this way simply
to kill each other?
Presently the word came that the
enemy had retired and the regiment
must change its position. Captain
Dudley rode up to lead his men for
ward. Wait, boys" he cried, "until
ride ahead and see the outlook"
He did ride ahead. The men saw
him two hundred yards in the distance.
Suddenly fierce booming of cannon
was heard, columns of smoke arose in
the air, bullets fell like hail. "He's
downP' cried private in the ranks.
The second officer in command rode ur
Stay where you are, men. The
enemy are on the hill"
Not one among the men dared to fol-
lOW their cantain. To do on would no